Only two moons in our
solar system are thought to have liquid water, and evidence
collected by the Cassini spacecraft during multiple flybys
suggests that Saturn's moon, Enceladus, could have liquid
water reservoirs that erupt in Yellowstone-like geysers. Cassini
has collected data, including high-resolution images of Enceladus'
warm, south polar region, which reveal icy jets and towering
plumes of particles and vapor ejected at high speed. Warm,
low-density material rising to the surface could have literally
caused Enceladus to roll over, putting the mass of warm material
at the south pole. Tidal forces that squeeze and stretch the
moon are a likely source of internal heat, but imaging and
compositional data from the closest flyby yet of this intriguing
satellite, earlier this month, may provide even more clues.
We explore the mysteries of the fascinating world of Enceladus
and investigate its place in the Saturn system.